Space Build Reliability Engineer II Verified today

About Varda

Varda is accelerating commercial space infrastructure development, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable reentry capsules. Varda's W-Series vehicles are designed, built and operated entirely in-house, including pharmaceutical processing payloads, capsules, C-PICA heat shields and satellite buses. The company is headquartered in El Segundo, California with offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.

The Role

You will partner with design and manufacturing teams to right-size processes and controls for scaling spacecraft hardware production. Build Reliability Engineers ensure production processes yield verified, reliable hardware at rate, and will flex to support Quality, Flight Reliability and Mission Assurance. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in hardware design, test, manufacturing and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Partner with design and manufacturing teams to create test, manufacturability and inspection plans for all vehicle hardware
• Contain suspect or non-conforming product, guiding quality inspectors, technicians, supervisors and engineers
• Lead failure investigations in production, test and operation to identify root causes and reduce risk
• Provide critical peer review of hardware during design reviews and acceptance and qualification test campaigns
• Perform failure modes and effects analyses, build requirements compliance matrices and ensure adequate test coverage and manufacturability of flight hardware
• Own vehicle-level deliverables for regulatory bodies including requirements compliance, functional and flight hazard analyses and verification evidence
• Support Mission Assurance's vehicle-level risk management and mitigation tracking

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, computer science, electrical, manufacturing, mechanical or material sciences engineering
• 3+ years professional experience in aerospace, design, quality or related engineering role
• Hands-on hardware test, qualification, troubleshooting or failure analysis experience
• Commitment to lean quality principles without compromising safety or reliability
• Demonstrated application of process controls in high-volume manufacturing, test and quality environments
• Experience generating, processing and analyzing data for production insight
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with drive to innovate in cutting-edge technology

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Full project lifecycle ownership experience (cradle-to-grave)
• Proficiency with quality tools including measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, advanced product quality planning, metrology and process failure mode and effects analysis
• Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, casting, welding, fastening or other special manufacturing processes

Compensation and Work Location

Salary range: $119,543 to $152,749 per year. This role is on-site in El Segundo, CA. You will be eligible for stock options and long-term cash awards. Leveling and base salary are determined by job-related skills, education, experience and performance.